DesktopX 2.1 Lets You Create Windows Widgets From Animated Wallpaper To Stock Tickers and System Resource Monitors Eric Grevstad
Mon 2/23/04 -- Mac OS X tinkerers are high on the shareware utility Konfabulator, which lets users add desk accessories, objects, and applets to the desktop without complex programming. Stardock Corp. says, "Been there, done that" -- and the newest release of its DesktopX Windows enhancement utility adds even more features to help make the Windows desktop more fun and productive.
Free for the download, the basic version of DesktopX 2.1 lets users make standard desktop icons any size, with shadows and zoom-in on mouse-overs; add objects such as stock tickers, weather monitors, news readers, and MP3 players; or even create complete alternatives to the standard Windows desktop that look and feel like anything imaginable.
The DesktopX toolkit includes full support for .BMP or .PNG animation and alpha blending, a programmer's editor for both VBScript and JavaScript, and built-in security to lock down the desktop or create public-access kiosks. The $20 DesktopX Enhanced can export objects as compact widgets usable by other DesktopX buffs, while the $500 DesktopX Professional can export objects as standalone programs that require no runtimes at all.
